Dad to son's killer: 'We forgive you'

For the first time in nearly two years, Mamadou Ndiaye got to speak to the man who stabbed and killed his only son, Elhadji.

But, instead of lashing out at Robenson Daniel, Ndiaye spoke of forgiveness.

By Norman Miller/Daily News staff

MetroWest Daily News, Framingham, MA

By Norman Miller/Daily News staff

Posted Aug. 30, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Aug 30, 2012 at 5:58 AM

By Norman Miller/Daily News staff

Posted Aug. 30, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Aug 30, 2012 at 5:58 AM

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» Social News

For the first time in nearly two years, Mamadou Ndiaye got to speak to the man who stabbed and killed his only son, Elhadji.

But, instead of lashing out at Robenson Daniel, Ndiaye spoke of forgiveness.

“We forgive you, from our heart,” Ndiaye told Daniel after Daniel pleaded guilty in Middlesex Superior Court Thursday to a reduced charge of voluntary manslaughter in the stabbing death of Elhadji Ndiaye at Regis College.

“We forgive you, person-to-person, we forgive you. As a family, we forgive you,” said Ndiaye. “This is the hardest thing that has ever happened to me. He was my only son. Nothing this hard will ever happen to me again, but we are human and we forgive you.”

Daniel, 22, nodded his head after hearing the father’s words. As he was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs he turned and waved to Ndiaye, who returned the wave.

“It was very difficult, but we are human,” said Ndiaye after the hearing. “I cannot win in this case.”

Daniel was moved by Ndiaye’s gesture, his lawyer, Mark Shea, said.

“Mr. Ndiaye is one of the classiest people I have ever seen,” said Shea. “It was a beautiful moment and you don’t see many beautiful moments in court. Mr. Daniel was really touched by that.”

Judge Elizabeth Fahey accepted Daniel’s plea, as well as the recommended sentence of four to five years in prison.

Daniel will get credit for the 700 days he has served in jail, and could be out of prison in about two years.

Daniel also pleaded guilty to assault and battery with a dangerous weapon for stabbing Ndiaye’s friend, Franky Andrevil six times. Fahey sentenced him to a concurrent sentence of four to five years in prison.

Fahey also placed Daniel on probation for five years after he pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon for swinging a knife at another man, but missing him. The probation will start once Daniel is released from prison.

The prosecutor’s office chose not to prosecute several other charges, including assault with intent to murder, and additional charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault with a dangerous weapon, as part of the plea deal.

Prosecutor Nicole Allain said Ndiaye and Daniel were part of two different groups of men who were visiting people at Regis College on Sept. 24, 2010.

During the night, one of Daniel’s friends made a derogatory comment about Haitians, which several of Ndiaye’s friends were, which led to an argument.

Around 2:30 a.m., the two groups met in the parking lot and a fight started when Andrevil yelled, “I’m getting my 9,” meaning he had a gun, Allain said. Andrevil never showed a gun, but instead tackled Daniel. While both were on the ground, Daniel stabbed him six times.

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He then attempted to stab a second man, before he stabbed Ndiaye in the chest, piercing his heart and liver. Ndiaye had a pipe, raised up over his head, Allain said.

“Mr. Ndiaye took several steps and then collapsed,” Allain said.

Daniel and his group of friends left, and Daniel was arrested about a week later.

Shea said he still maintains that Daniel was innocent of any wrongdoing and it was an obvious case of self-defense from a larger group.

“You can’t risk a 22-year-old man going to prison for the rest of his life,” Shea said.

Shea said Daniel will continue to take classes through Wheelock College in Boston, which he attended before his arrest. He said the plea will allow him to get out of prison and still lead a productive life.

Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone, in a statement, said he was pleased that Daniel took responsibility for his actions.

“(Thursday), the defendant admitted his guilt and responsibility for the stabbing death of Elhadji Malick Ndiaye,” said Leone. “This is another tragic example of young people resorting to violence to settle a dispute, resulting in fatal consequences and doing irreversible damage to several lives. Our thoughts remain with the Ndiaye family, who served as a tower of strength and forgiveness during this case.”